Base structure for centrifugal machines



March 3, 1959 R. D. DODGE BASE STRUCTURE RoR CENTRIRUGAL MACHINES 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20. 1954 INVENTOR.

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Afro/RNE March 3, 1959 B. D. mcnzacfs'e: 2,875,967

` BASE: STRUCTURE FQR'CENTRI'FUGAL 'MACHINES Y v Filed may 20,'1954 v '2sheets-smet 2 y g /ZJ I United States Patent O 1,875,967 BASE STRUCTUREFOR yCENTRIFU'GAL MACHINES Robert D. Dodge, Sierra Madre, Calif.Application May 20, 1954, Serial No. 431,240 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-22) Thisinvention relates `to machines 'of the rotary type, and moreparticularly to a supporting base structure for centrifugal typemachines.

The present invention is directed to centrifugal type rotary machines inwhich the principal element is rotated at a relatively high speed and asan incident to such speed of rotation certain reaction effects on themachine due to its vibration, tends to turn the machine itself in thesame direction as that of the rotating element. Many types of suchmachines are not rigidly secured to a foundation but rest on a bench ortable, and this reaction effect or creeping rotation of the machine isundesirable. This is particularly true of fruit and vegetable juicingmachines which are customarily used in the home and are ordinarilyoperated on a sink drainboard or kitchen table. The present invention isdirected to a base structure for such machines in which these objectionsand undesirable characteristics have been eliminated.

Is is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a simple,practical and inexpensive base structure for rotary machines of thecharacter described.

Another object of the invention is to provide a base unit forcentrifuging machines adapted to prevent rotational creeping of themachine during operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fullyin the following specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation View, partly broken away, of a vegetablejuicing machine embodying one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a separate view of the foot element shown in Figures l and2.

Figure 5 is a linearally projected side elevation view of the footelement of Figure 4 as it appears without the weight of the machinethereon.

Figure 6 is a view similar weight of the machine thereon.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the foot element of Figure 4as seen from above.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a moditied form of theinvention.

Figure 9 is a sectional of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view of the foot element shown in Figures 8 and 9.

' Figure 11 is a fragmentary linerally projected side elevation viewofthe foot element of Figures 8 to l0 shown without the weight of themachine thereon.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 showing the foot element withthe weight of the machine thereon.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1 shows acentrifuging machine embodying one form of the invention, and is avegetable juicing machine having a generally circular frame 15, thelower portion of which 16 houses an electric motor 17, and the upperportion toy Figure 5 seen with the view taken along the line 9-9 y2,875,967 Patented Mar. 3, 1959 "ice 18 thereof forms an enclosure for amacerating 4unit 19 mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft 20which is the drive shaft of the motor 17. A casting 2*'1 lforms asupporting base for frame and is suitably secured to lower portion 16 byscrews 22, the base being formed with a plurality of recesses 23 to.receive the heads of the screws. The machine is portable and designedfor unsecured support on a table, or the like.

An annular groove 24 is formed in the underside vof 0 base 21, in whichgroove a resilient foot element l25 is positioned and suitably securedby a cementi'tious bond. Foot element 25 is i'n the general form of `aring, 'and preferably of a live or synthetic rubbertof suitableconsistency, and may have an embedded reinforcing of'fabric or the like,if desired. The lower portion of the foot element is formed with aplurality of cut-outs v26, thus forming a plurality of legs 27 and 28,twelve in number, spaced circumferentially 30 degrees, vand ranged intwo groups. The legs of the iirst group are designated 27a, 2717, 27C,27d, and 27e, the legs 28 being disposed either singly or in pairsbetween two of the legs 27, as may be clearly seen in Figure 5. Legs 27are seen to be somewhat longer than legs 28, and it will be observedthat the circumferentially spacing of the longer legs 27 isnon-symmetrical, differential, irregular and non-uniform. The spacingalong the arc of the foot element 25 of adjacent pairs of legs 27e and27d, and also 27 e and 27a is 60 degrees. The spacing of adjacent pairsof legs 27d and 27e, yand also 27a and 27b is 90 degress. The line x-xin Figure 4 indicates the break in the development of the diagrammaticshowing in Figure 5. Figure 6 illustrates the compression of the footelement 25 when the weight of the machine is on it when placed unsecuredon a kitchen table or sink drainboard, and lit will be evident that theweight of the machine is distributed throughout the area or arcuateextent of the foot element 25 non-symmetrically, differentially,irregularly and non-uniformly, and that the frictional engagement o-fthe legs 27 and 28 with the table top or drainboard will Vary. It hasbeen found that with a foot element and base structure, as shown, thatthe tendency of the machine to creep rotationally when the motor andmacerating elements are being rotated at relatively high velocities,will be substantially eliminated even though an unbalance develops inthe macerating unit 19, which often occurs in the production ofvegetable juice from the`centrifugal maceration of vegetables.

In Figures 8 to 12 I show a modified form of the invention. In thesefigures the base 21a is generally similar to base 21, but is formed withan annular groove 24al somewhat deeper than groove 24, and receives aresilient annular foot element 25a of normally rectangular crosssection. The groove 24a is so formed as to provide a plurality of bosses30, five in number, which are disposed circumferentially substantiallythe same amount as the legs 27 of foot element 25. Figure l1 shows thenormally unstressed condition of foot element 25a, and Figure l2 showsthe stressed condition thereof when the weight of the machine is beingtransmitted therethrough when the machine is resting on the planesupport. The numeral 31 indicates generally the areas of greatercompression of the foot element due to this differential, irregular ornon-uniform distribution of the weight. The operation of the machinewith a base and foot element shown in Figures 8 to 12 is substantiallysimilar to that of the machine in Figure 1.

While I have shown and described preferred embodiments of my invention,it will be understood that this is illustrative only of the invention,and that changes and modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the sub-joined claims.

1. A supporting base for an unsecured centrifugng machine, said basecomprising a ring of resilient material adapted to be mounted to saidmachine and having a plurality of eut-outs forming a rst and secondplurality of foot elements, vthe foot elements of said first pluralitythereof being longer than those of said second plurality 4thereof andbeing disposed non-uniformly circumferentially of said. ring.

2. A supporting base for an unsecured centrifuging machine, said basecomprising a ring of resilient material adapted to be mounted to saidmachine and having a plurality of cut-outs forming a first and secondplurality of foot elements, the foot elements of said first plurality`thereof being longer than those of said second plurality thereof andbeing disposed non-symmetrically circumferentally of said ring.

3. vA supporting base for an unsecured centrifuging machine, said basecomprising a ring of resilient material adapted to be mounted to saidmachine and having a first and second plurality of cut-outs forming footelements,

the foot elements of a rst plurality thereof extending downwardly fromthe base a greater distance than the second plurality thereof and beingdisposed circumferentially of said ring, the foot elements of said rstplurality being spaced circumferentially substantially 90, 60, 60, 90and 60 degrees, respectively.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,945,765 Alpern Feb. 6, 1934 2,136,787 Dunham Nov. 16, 1938 2,546,394Harmon Mar. 27, 1951 2,641,425 Ostberg June 9, 1953 2,641,426 RauscherJune 9, 1953 2,730,356 Hunter Jan. 10, 1956 2,802,356 Kirby Aug. 13,1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 398,657 Great Britain Sept. 21, 1933 860,630Germany July 8, 1949

